Times reporters blog about high school sports across the Southland

Boys' basketball: Price defeats Serra when officials disallow basket

January 14, 2012 | 10:39
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The featured game of the Johnnie C. Cochran Basketball Classic at L.A. Center for Enriched Studies between Los Angeles Price and Gardena Serra should have been going into overtime Saturday night. But the officials disallowed a basket at the buzzer by Serra, and Price came away with a 49-47 victory.

Just another wild night involving teams in the powerful Southern Section Division 4AA.

The controversial final play came when Emmanuel Ndumanya scored after a missed shot as the buzzer sounded. The officials decided the basket came after time had expired, but video appeared to indicate the ball was out of his hands as the clock hit zero.

Talk about strange games. Price (12-5) opened an 18-2 lead. Serra (15-2) outscored Price, 28-3, during the second and third quarters to take a 38-25 lead. Price went on an 11-0 run to start the fourth quarter to get back into the game. Chance Murray led Price with 22 points. Daddy Ugbede had 15 points for Serra. Skylar Spencer was dominant inside for Price, blocking 11 shots.